Canadian Thanksgiving - Action de grâce

Canadian Thanksgiving, known in French as Action de grâce, is a federal holiday celebrated on the second Monday of October. It is a time for Canadians to give thanks for the blessings of the past year, particularly for a successful harvest.

Unlike American Thanksgiving in November, Canadian Thanksgiving occurs earlier due to Canada's more northern location and earlier harvest season. The holiday creates a three-day long weekend, making it one of the busiest travel periods in Canada as families gather to celebrate together.

The origins of Canadian Thanksgiving can be traced to multiple traditions. The first recorded Thanksgiving in North America was held by English explorer Martin Frobisher in 1578 in what is now Newfoundland, giving thanks for surviving the journey from England.

French settlers who arrived with Samuel de Champlain in the early 1600s also held feasts of thanksgiving, sharing their celebrations with Indigenous peoples who had their own harvest festivals.

For centuries, the date of Thanksgiving varied across Canada. It wasn't until 1957 that Parliament proclaimed the second Monday of October as the official Thanksgiving Day.

Traditional Meal: The centerpiece is the Thanksgiving dinner, typically featuring roasted turkey with stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetables, and pumpkin pie for dessert.

Family Gatherings: Families travel from across the country to be together, making it one of the busiest weekends for domestic travel.

Harvest Themes: Decorations often feature autumn colors, leaves, pumpkins, cornucopias, and harvest imagery.

Outdoor Activities: The October timing means colorful fall foliage, and many families take advantage of the long weekend for outdoor activities like hiking and apple picking.

Football: Canadian Football League games are a Thanksgiving tradition.